Facts on Dogwood Trees

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Facts on Dogwood Trees

The dogwood tree is a flowering deciduous tree. The tree is native to South Carolina, as well as other regions along the east coast of the United States. Dogwoods are popular in lawn landscapes and are also found in the wild. The state of Missouri named the dogwood the state tree.

Leaves

The leaves of the dogwood tree are bright green. The shape is oval, and the edges are wavy. The edges of the leaves curl up. During the fall, the leaves turn reddish purple to bright red.

Flowers

The blooms of the dogwood tree are small yellow flowers. Clusters of flowers are surrounded by four white bracts. Each white bract has reddish tint on the edges. Because the white bracts are so much larger and showier than the small yellow flowers, the bracts are often regarded as the tree's blossoms.

Size

The dogwood tree is a steady grower and reaches full height within eight years. A full-grown dogwood tree stands 15 to 30 feet tall. The branches of the dogwood grow upward, with slight outward curves. The canopy of a full-grown dogwood tree is 15 to 20 feet in diameter.

Fruit

The dogwood tree produces red fruits each spring. The fruits are small, oblong berries that are approximately 1/2 inch in length. The fruit serve as food for birds and other small animals.

Trunk

The trunk of the dogwood tree is gray and rough in texture. With age, the surface of the tree's trunk cracks and breaks. The cracks and breaks form a reticulated pattern. The result is the look of alligator skin.

About this Author

Elizabeth Balarini is a freelance writer and professional blogger who began writing professionally in 2006. Her work has been published on several websites. Her articles focus on where her passions lie: writing, web development, blogging, home and garden, and health and wellness. Elizabeth majored in English at the University of Texas at San Antonio.